Fluid system component with sacrificial element

ABSTRACT

A fluid system component is provided that is implemented as a section of metal pipe having a predetermined wall thickness and including a sacrificial element intended to preferentially fail upon the occurrence of certain predefined conditions. The sacrificial element takes the form of a window of predetermined geometry that covers an opening defined in the wall of the pipe. The window is configured to have a thickness substantially less than the wall thickness of the pipe, but nonetheless sufficiently great that the window remains materially unaffected by normal system operating conditions to which it is exposed. When the window is exposed to a pressure differential of predetermined magnitude, typically much greater than normal system operating pressures, the relatively thin window ruptures and permits the pressurized material, either inside or outside the pipe, to flow through the rupture.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/409,895, entitled SACRIFICIAL FLUID SYSTEMCOMPONENT, filed Sep. 11, 2002 and incorporated herein in its entiretyby this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to fluid systems. Moreparticularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a fluidsystem component having a sacrificial element intended to assume anirreversible configuration upon the occurrence of certain predefinedconditions, so as to facilitate achievement of a desired effectconcerning the associated fluid system.

[0004] 2. Related Technology

[0005] In typical oil and gas exploration efforts, an initial search ismade to identify various geographical formations that are believed to bepotential sources of a desired product. When such geographicalformations have been located and identified, one or more exploratorywells are drilled in an effort to ascertain aspects such as thequantity, quality and accessibility of any materials that may bepresent. Once it has been determined that it is economically viable torecover the discovered materials, a well, or well hole, is drilled inorder to facilitate access to those materials.

[0006] After the well hole has been drilled, a casing is inserted intothe ground and cemented in position in the well hole. Typically, thecasing comprises a series of hollow members connected end to end inorder to form the long, hollow casing pipe “string.” After the casinghas been secured in position, a production pipe is inserted down throughthe casing. The production pipe extends downward into the area where thegas, oil or other materials are located. In some installations, thelower portion, or other selected portion, of the production pipe isperforated so that the oil, gas, or other materials can flow into theproduction pipe and up to a wellhead connected to the production pipeand located at the surface. In many cases however, the natural pressureof the material desired to be recovered is not sufficient to ensure thatthe material flows to the surface at an adequate rate.

[0007] Accordingly, many gas and oil rigs and recovery systems includeone or more well pumps, such as a positive displacement pump, configuredand arranged to aid in moving the materials to the surface relativelymore quickly. Typically, such well pumps include a pump discharge line,or other discharge connection, that is connected to the lower end of theproduction pipe. A check valve is provided in the pump discharge line sothat backflow into the well pump from the discharge line and/orproduction pipe is prevented. The well pump further includes a suctionconnection to which is attached a suction line that extends into thearea where the gas, oil or other materials are located. In other cases,the well pump is a submersible type, so that the suction connection issubmersed in the material to be pumped, and no suction line is required.

[0008] In operation, the well pump directs a flow of oil, gas or othermaterials into the production pipe after another pump located at thesurface has cycled. Similar to the well pump, the surface pump may be adisplacement type pump. When the gas, oil or other material reaches thesurface, those materials are then directed through a wellhead and intothe production system.

[0009] Often during drilling and/or pumping processes such as thosedescribed above, conditions are encountered that may pose a significantdanger to both the drilling crew and to the system components andpiping. By way of example, materials such as sour gas, corrosives, orother hazardous or undesirable materials are commonly present in oil andgas deposits. When such materials are encountered, those materials maysurge uncontrolled into the suction line of the well pump and/or intothe casing and production pipe, causing damage to those components.Additionally, such hazardous materials may pass upward into the systempiping and components above the surface. In either case, serious damageto the well, and related piping and components, may result and thesafety of system operators may likewise be jeopardized. In other cases,the presence of these, or other, materials signifies that the desiredmaterials have been substantially evacuated from the undergroundformation.

[0010] In view of the foregoing, it would be useful to be able toquickly and reliably plug, or otherwise prevent the flow of materialsthrough, the well pump suction and discharge lines and/or the casing andproduction pipe, so as to prevent the passage of hazardous or otherundesirable materials from passing upward into the wellhead and thepiping, systems, and components that comprise the above-groundinfrastructure of the well and associated systems. In at least somecases, it would further be desirable to provide for permanent cessationof the flow of such materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to fluid systems.More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to afluid system component having a sacrificial element intended to failupon the occurrence of certain predefined conditions, so as to enablequick and reliable cessation of the flow of materials through one ormore portions of the fluid system.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fluid systemcomponent is provided that is implemented as a section of metal pipe ortubing having a predetermined wall thickness and configured to beinterposed between, and connected either directly or indirectly with, awell pump discharge connection and a production pipe. The fluid systemcomponent includes a sacrificial element intended to fail upon theoccurrence of certain predefined conditions. Exemplarily, thesacrificial element comprises one or more “windows” of predeterminedgeometry defined in the wall of the pipe or tubing section. The windowis configured to have a thickness substantially less than the wallthickness, but nonetheless sufficiently great that the window remainsmaterially unaffected by normal system operating conditions to which itmay be exposed.

[0013] However, when the window is exposed to a pressure differential ofpredetermined magnitude, typically much greater than that experiencedunder normal system operating conditions, the thin wall of the windowwill rupture and permit the highly pressurized material, such as acessation product, to flow through the rupture. Exemplarily, the windowis configured to rupture quickly and completely so that maximum fluidflow through the window area will be realized in a relatively shortperiod of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and otheraspects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description ofthe invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference tospecific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplaryembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be consideredlimiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of an exemplaryoperating environment for embodiments of the invention, specifically, anoil or gas well and associated systems;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that provides details concerning thearrangement of an exemplary fluid system component, that includes asacrificial element, with respect to other elements of the exemplaryoperating environment;

[0017]FIG. 3A is an axial section view illustrating aspects of anexemplary implementation of a sacrificial element of a fluid systemcomponent as that sacrificial element appears prior to failure;

[0018]FIG. 3B is a radial section view taken from FIG. 3A andillustrates further aspects of the exemplary sacrificial element as thatsacrificial element appears prior to failure;

[0019]FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid systemcomponent with a sacrificial element that has failed;

[0020]FIG. 4A is an axial section view illustrating aspects of analternative implementation of a sacrificial element of a fluid systemcomponent as that sacrificial element appears prior to failure;

[0021]FIG. 4B is a radial section view taken from FIG. 4A andillustrates further aspects of the exemplary sacrificial element as thatsacrificial element appears prior to failure;

[0022]FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the exemplary fluid systemcomponent, illustrated in FIG. 4A, with a sacrificial element that hasfailed;

[0023]FIG. 5A is a section view of an alternative implementation of asacrificial element; and

[0024]FIG. 5B is a section view of another alternative implementation ofa sacrificial element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structureswill be provided with like reference designations. It is to beunderstood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematicrepresentations of various embodiments of the claimed invention, and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention inany way, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale.

[0026] Generally, embodiments of the invention concern a fluid systemcomponent that includes a sacrificial element configured and intended tofail upon the occurrence of certain predefined conditions such as, forexample, a predefined pressure differential exerted upon the sacrificialelement. More particularly, the failure of the sacrificial element is aselective, or preferential, failure in that the occurrence of thepredefined condition causes the sacrificial element to fail, but theoccurrence of such predefined condition typically does not cause thefailure of other portions of the associated fluid system component.

[0027] As discussed in detail elsewhere herein, the sacrificial elementexemplarily comprises one or more “windows” of predetermined geometryand arrangement defined in the wall of the pipe or tubing. The window isconfigured to have a thickness substantially less than the wallthickness, but nonetheless sufficiently great that the window remainsmaterially unaffected by normal system operating conditions to which itmay be exposed. However, the exertion, on the window, of a predeterminedpressure differential that is outside the bounds of normal operatingconditions, causes the window to rupture so that pressurized materialflows through the window area, either from within or outside the fluidpassageway defined by the pipe or tubing.

[0028] I. Aspects of Exemplary Operating Environments

[0029] With reference first to FIG. 1, details are provided concerningvarious aspects of an exemplary operating environment for at least someembodiments of the invention. The exemplary operating environmentcomprises a material recovery system, designated at 100, and generallyhas associated therewith a cessation product system 200 having a fluidsystem component 300 that defines or otherwise includes one or moresacrificial elements 400.

[0030] The material recovery system 100 exemplarily comprises a gas oroil drilling and processing system. However, the scope of the inventionis not so limited and embodiments of the invention may, more generally,be employed in any fluid system, or other, application where thefunctionality disclosed herein may prove useful. In connection with theforegoing, it should be noted that as used herein, “fluid” refersbroadly to gases, liquids, and combinations of gases and liquids, aswell as to combinations of gases and solids, and combinations of liquidsand solids. This is germane with respect both to cessation products thattake liquid forms, as well as to the materials in connection with whicha fluid system, such as the material recovery system 100, is employed.

[0031] With continuing reference now to FIG. 1, the material recoverysystem 100 includes a well pump 102 that is positioned proximate theunderground formation containing the materials that are desired to berecovered. The well pump 102 includes pump suction and dischargeconnections and is exemplarily implemented as a positive displacementpump, such as a diaphragm pump or peristaltic pump. The well pump 102may alternatively comprise another type of pump as well. In any case,the well pump 102 includes a suction connection configured and arrangedfor fluid communication with the underground formation containing thematerials to be recovered, as well as a discharge connection attachedto, or otherwise arranged for fluid communication with, the fluid systemcomponent 300.

[0032] It should be noted that the aforementioned arrangement of thefluid system component 300 is exemplary only and should not be construedto limit the scope of the invention in any way. More generally, thefluid system component 300 may be arranged in any other way that wouldfacilitate implementation of the functionality disclosed herein.Moreover, while the illustrated implementation of the material recoverysystem 100 includes a single fluid system component 300, otherimplementations of the material recovery system 100 include multiplefluid system components 300.

[0033] By way of example, in some alternative arrangements, the fluidsystem component 300 is attached to, or arranged for fluid communicationwith the well pump 102 suction connection. In yet other arrangements,the fluid system component 300 is attached to, or otherwise arranged forfluid communication with, both the well pump 102 suction and dischargeconnections. In another alternative arrangement, the fluid systemcomponent 300 is not disposed “in-line” with the well pump 102 dischargeline, as indicated in the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 1, but isinstead implemented as a stub connection off the well pump 102 dischargeline. Of course, various other arrangements of the fluid systemcomponent(s) 300 may be employed as well.

[0034] As indicated in FIG. 1, the fluid system component 300 is alsoattached to, or otherwise in fluid communication with, a production pipe104 that extends up to the surface and terminates in a wellhead 106located on the surface and including one or more well valves 106A thatenable an operator to control the flow of materials from the productionpipe 104. Downstream of the wellhead 106, an isolation valve 108 isprovided that permits the wellhead 106 to be isolated from otherportions of the material recovery system 100.

[0035] Additionally, the cessation product system 200 is connected tothe wellhead 106 discharge by way of a cessation product isolation valve202 that enables control of the flow of cessation product, discussedbelow, into selected portions of the material recovery system 100. Insome implementations, the cessation product isolation valve 202 isconfigured for automatic operation in conjunction with various sensorsand/or the cessation product system pump controller, discussed below.

[0036] In addition to the cessation product isolation valve 202, thecessation product system 200 further includes a pump 204 connected to areservoir 206 and operated by way of a controller 208. The cessationproduct contained in the reservoir 206 may comprise drilling mud,cement, concrete, latex, or any other fluid, gas, or combination thereofeffective in implementing the functionality disclosed herein.Exemplarily, the controller 208 is responsive to information receivedfrom one or more sensors 210 located proximate the well pump 102 orother component and configured to detect the presence and/orconcentration of harmful or undesirable materials in the vicinity of theproduction pipe 104, fluid system component 300 and/or well pump 102.

[0037] In this way, operation of the cessation product system 200 can beautomatically initiated in response to the detection of certain typesand/or concentrations of materials by the sensor(s) 210. Alternativelyhowever, the cessation product system 200 may be configured for allmanual operation, or may alternatively be configured for both manual andautomatic operation.

[0038] Directing attention now to FIG. 2, further details are providedconcerning aspects of an exemplary operating environment for at leastsome embodiments of the invention. In particular, the material recoverysystem 100 further includes a casing 110 that is cemented in position ina well hole and is configured to receive the production pipe 104. Inthis arrangement, the well pump 102 is located proximate the bottom ofthe casing 110 and is configured for fluid communication with the fluidsystem component 300 and the production pipe 104. In someimplementations, the production pipe 104 fits closely within the casing110 so that the production pipe 104 comes into contact with the casing110 as the production pipe 104 is moved down through the casing 110. Inthis exemplary arrangement, the production pipe 104 extends a sufficientdistance below the bottom of the casing 110 that a substantial portionof the fluid system component 300, including the sacrificial element400, is located below the Z terminal end of the casing 110. Otherarrangements may alternatively be employed however.

[0039] II. Aspects of Exemplary Fluid System Components

[0040] With attention now to FIGS. 3A through 3C, details are providedconcerning aspects of an exemplary implementation of a fluid systemcomponent 300 that includes a sacrificial element 400. As indicated inthose figures, and suggested earlier herein, some implementations of thefluid system component 300 comprise a body substantially in the form ofa length of metal pipe or tubing 302 having a wall that at leastpartially defines a fluid passageway 303 and includes inlet and outletconnections 304 and 306, respectively. The inlet and outlet connections304 and 306 of the fluid system component 300 are configured asnecessary to enable attachment of the fluid system component 300 to, forexample, the production pipe 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the well pump 102discharge line. For example, one or both ends of the connections 304 and306 may be threaded. Alternatively, one or both of the inlet and outletconnections 304 and 306, respectively, of the fluid system component 300may be configured to be welded, socket welded, brazed, or bolted to theadjacent components and/or piping.

[0041] Other aspects of the fluid system component 300 may be varied aswell as necessary to suit the requirements of a particular applicationor operation. For example, aspects of the geometry of the fluid systemcomponent 300 such as, but not limited to, the length, diameter, andwall thickness of the fluid system component 300 may be modified.Further, the fluid system component 300 may be constructed from avariety of metallic and non-metallic materials. Examples of suitablemetallic materials include, but are not limited to, copper, steel,aluminum, and alloys of copper, steel, and aluminum.

[0042] Additionally, the fluid system component 300 may be implementedin forms other than a length of piping or tubing. For example, the fluidsystem component 300 may take the form of a pipe or tube fitting, orcombinations thereof. Examples of such pipe and tube fittings include,but are not limited to, tees, bends, test fittings, taps, caps, plugsand elbows. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the fluid systemcomponent 300 is implemented in the form of a valve. More generallyhowever, the fluid system component 300 may be implemented in any formthat would enable effective implementation of the functionalitydisclosed herein.

[0043] With continuing attention to FIGS. 3A through 3C, the fluidsystem component 300 additionally includes a sacrificial element 400.While the illustrated embodiment of the fluid system component 300includes a single sacrificial element 400, alternative embodiments ofthe fluid system component 300 include a plurality of sacrificialelements 400. In such alternative embodiments, aspects such as, but notlimited to, the geometry, arrangement and orientation of the pluralityof sacrificial elements 400, may be varied as necessary to suit therequirements of a particular application or operation. Accordingly, theillustrated implementation of the fluid system component 300 isexemplary only and is not intended to limit the scope of the inventionin any way.

[0044] In the illustrated implementation of the fluid system component300, the sacrificial element 400 comprises a window 402 defined in thewall 308 of the fluid system component 300. Aspects of the window 402are selected in a manner consistent with the intended use and operatingconditions for the fluid system component 300. For example, geometricalfeatures such as the size and/or shape of the window 402 may bedetermined with reference to the desired flow rate of the cessationfluid or other material through the window 402. As another example, itwas noted earlier herein that the window 402 is intended to rupture uponexertion, upon the window 402, of a pressure of a predeterminedmagnitude, or “rupture pressure.” Accordingly, the thickness of thewindow 402 is, exemplarily, determined with reference to suchpredetermined rupture pressure.

[0045] As the foregoing makes clear then, the window 402 is generallyconfigured to remain materially unaffected by the normal systemoperating pressures to which it may be exposed. However, when the window402 is exposed to the rupture pressure differential, typically muchgreater than the pressure differential experience during normaloperating conditions, the thin wall comprising the window 402 willrupture and permit the contained cessation product, or other material,to flow through the ruptured window 402, as suggested in FIG. 3C.Exemplarily, the window 402 is configured to rupture quickly andcompletely so that maximum fluid flow through the window 402 area willbe realized in a relatively short period of time. However, otherarrangements are included within the scope of the invention.

[0046] More generally then, a “sacrificial element” refers to anystructure or structural feature, or combination thereof, that isconfigured and intended to fail in the presence of certain predefinedconditions. Examples of such predefined conditions include, but are notlimited to, the attainment of a predetermined pressure differentialacross the sacrificial element.

[0047] As suggested above, the rupture pressure is, in someapplications, exerted from the outside of the fluid system component 300so that, upon rupture of the window 402, pressurized materials externalto the fluid passageway 303 defined by the fluid system component 300are able to enter the fluid passageway 303. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is not limited to implementations of the fluid systemcomponent 300, or applications thereof, where the rupture pressure isexerted from within the fluid passageway 303.

[0048] Further, various other fluid flow effects are achieved throughthe use of a fluid system component 300 that includes a plurality ofwindows 402 of varying thicknesses and geometries. Among other things,such varying window 402 thicknesses enable progressive rupturing of theplurality of windows 402 as fluid pressure builds behind the windows402, rather than the simultaneous rupturing of the plurality of windows402 that would occur when each of the plurality of windows 402 issubstantially the same thickness. This type of arrangement enables,among other things, control over the rate at which the cessation fluid,or other material, flows through the windows 402.

[0049] With reference to further aspects of the construction andarrangement of the window 402, exemplary embodiments of the window 402are formed by machining or other suitable methods. Also, variables suchas the window geometry, size, thickness, orientation and location(s) maybe varied as desired to facilitate achievement of a desired result.Moreover, multiple windows 402 may be employed in some applications.Such windows 402 may be arranged and oriented as desired. In thisregard, it should be noted that, at least in this exemplary embodiment,the window 402 is flush with the outer surface of the pipe wall 308 sothat the window 402 is less likely to be subjected to premature wearsuch as might result from rubbing or other contact between the pipe wall308 and the casing 110 (FIG. 2) or other components. Contact sometimesoccurs, for example, when the production pipe 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2), towhich the fluid system component 300 is exemplarily attached, isconfigured and arranged for a relatively close fit within the casing 110(FIG. 2).

[0050] As suggested by the discussion of FIGS. 3A through 3C, variousstructural features and components are effective in implementing thefunctionality afforded by the use of one or more sacrificial elements400. Another example of a sacrificial element is illustrated in FIGS. 4Athrough 4C, discussed below.

[0051] In particular, FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate various aspects ofa sacrificial element 500 that takes the form of a plurality of machinedgrooves 501 that cooperate to define the perimeter of a “blowout patch”502. The thickness of the blowout patch 502 is, in this example,substantially the same as the thickness of the pipe wall 308. Aspects ofthe groove 501 geometry, such as the groove 501 length, width and depth,determine the pressure at which the blowout patch 502 will separate, atleast partially, from the pipe wall 308, and thereby allow the releaseof the cessation product contained in the fluid passageway 303.

[0052] In yet other cases, the sacrificial element may comprise arelatively thin window welded or brazed over, or into, an opening cutinto the pipe wall 308 of the fluid system component 300. By way ofexample, FIG. 5A illustrates an arrangement where a fluid systemcomponent 600 is employed that includes a sacrificial element 602 thattakes the form of a thin window of metal, for example, attached over anopening defined in the pipe wall 308. The opening in the pipe wall 308may be cut, machined, or otherwise defined. Of course, otherimplementations of a sacrificial element are possible as well.

[0053] In particular, FIG. 5B illustrates aspects of an arrangementwhere a fluid system component 700 is employed that includes asacrificial element 702 that takes the form of a thin window of metal,for example, configured to be fitted within a corresponding recess, andassociated opening, defined in the pipe wall 308 of the fluid systemcomponent 700. Any other arrangement of comparable functionality mayalternatively be employed however.

[0054] III. Operational Aspects of Exemplary Fluid System Components

[0055] In operation, the sensor 210, if employed, is set to send asignal to the controller 208 of the cessation product system 200 when aparticular type or concentration of one or more materials is detected.In response to receipt of this signal, the controller 208 causes thepump 204 to pump cessation product, such as mud, cement, concrete,latex, or other suitable material(s), from the reservoir 206 downthrough the wellhead 106 and into production pipe 104. In this exemplaryoperational scenario, the cessation product isolation valve 202 isconfigured to open automatically upon pump 204 start-up and,correspondingly, the isolation valve 108 downstream of the wellhead 106is configured to be closed, either automatically or manually, atsubstantially the same time. In this regard, it was noted earlier thatsome operational scenarios are directed to substantially manualoperation of the cessation product system 200.

[0056] Because the pressure of the cessation product is, typically,substantially greater than the line pressure in the wellhead 106 or theproduction pipe 104, discharge of the materials in the well pumpdischarge line substantially ceases. The pressure of the cessationproduct then continues to build up past the plastic yield point of thesacrificial element 400, causing the sacrificial element 400 to fail andthereby allowing any materials remaining in the production pipe 104, aswell as the cessation product, to flow out of the opening created as aresult of the failure of the sacrificial element 400, and into the wellpump 102 suction line and casing (see FIG. 2). In this way, the wellpump 102 and the casing 110 are permanently plugged by the outflow ofcessation product so that no further significant discharge of materialsfrom either the casing 110, the production pipe 104, or the well pump102 discharge line, can occur.

[0057] In the case where the cessation product comprises a material suchas cement or concrete, the cessation product sets up and hardens,thereby serving as a permanent plug to prevent further discharge ofundesirable materials through the casing 110, production pipe 104 andwell pump 102 discharge line. The casing 110, as well as the productionpipe 104, can then be removed and salvaged, with the residual cessationproduct filling the cavity left behind by the removed casing 110 andproduction pipe 104.

[0058] As suggested by the foregoing then, one aspect of embodiments ofthe invention is that they enable ready and reliable control andcontainment of hazardous or undesirable materials that may beencountered during drilling and/or recovery operations. Further, boththe fluid system component and associated sacrificial element arerelatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture and install.Additionally, the fluid system component and associated sacrificialelement can be readily customized to suit the requirements of aparticular application.

[0059] It should be noted that while the exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein are well-suited for use in conjunction withoil and gas drilling applications, these operating environments areexemplary only and embodiments of the invention may, more generally, beemployed in any other environment wherein the functionality disclosedherein would prove useful. Accordingly, the exemplary operatingenvironments disclosed herein should not be construed to limit the scopeof the invention in any way.

[0060] The described embodiments are to be considered in all respectsonly as exemplary and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid system component, comprising: a body atleast partially implemented in the form of a wall that defines a portionof a fluid passageway, the wall having a predetermined thickness; and asacrificial element at least indirectly attached to the body andcooperating with the body to at least partially define the fluidpassageway, the sacrificial element being configured for preferentialfailure, relative to the body, in response to the occurrence of apredefined condition.
 2. The fluid system component as recited in claim1, wherein the body comprises a length of pipe or tubing.
 3. The fluidsystem component as recited in claim 1, wherein the predefined conditioncomprises exertion of a specified pressure differential upon thesacrificial element.
 4. The fluid system component as recited in claim1, wherein the sacrificial element comprises a window having a thicknesssubstantially less than the wall thickness of the body.
 5. The fluidsystem component as recited in claim 1, wherein the sacrificial elementcomprises a piece of material configured to rupture when exposed to thepredefined condition.
 6. The fluid system component as recited in claim1, wherein the sacrificial element comprises a plurality of groovesformed in the wall so as to substantially define the perimeter of ablowout patch.
 7. The fluid system component as recited in claim 1,wherein the sacrificial element is integral with the wall.
 8. The fluidsystem component as recited in claim 1, wherein the sacrificial elementis discrete from the wall.
 9. A fluid system component, comprising: abody at least partially implemented in the form of a wall that defines aportion of a fluid passageway, the wall having a predeterminedthickness; and at least one sacrificial element cooperating with thewall to facilitate definition of the portion of the fluid passageway,the at least one sacrificial element being integral with the wall, andthe at least one sacrificial element having a thickness substantiallyless than the wall thickness of the body.
 10. The fluid system componentas recited in claim 9, wherein the fluid system component substantiallycomprises a metallic material.
 11. The fluid system component as recitedin claim 9, wherein the at least one sacrificial element comprises aplurality of grooves formed in the wall so as to substantially definethe perimeter of a blowout patch.
 12. The fluid system component asrecited in claim 9, wherein the at least one sacrificial elementcomprises a window of predetermined geometry defined in the wall. 13.The fluid system component as recited in claim 9, wherein the fluidsystem component comprises a plurality of sacrificial elements.
 14. Thefluid system component as recited in claim 9, wherein the body comprisesa length of pipe or tubing.
 15. A fluid system suitable for use inconnection with a well system that includes a well pump configured forfluid communication with a wellhead by way of a well pump dischargeline, the fluid system comprising: a cessation product system thatincludes: a pump configured for fluid communication with the well pumpby way of the wellhead; a pump controller configured for operablecommunication with the pump; a cessation product reservoir in fluidcommunication with the pump and configured to hold a volume of cessationproduct; and a sensor configured to operably communicate with the pumpcontroller; and a fluid system component configured for fluidcommunication with the well pump and the wellhead, the fluid systemcomponent comprising: a body that at least partially defines a fluidpassageway; and a sacrificial element at least indirectly attached tothe body and cooperating with the body to facilitate definition of thefluid passageway, the sacrificial element being configured forpreferential failure, relative to the body, in response to theoccurrence of a predefined condition.
 16. The fluid system as recited inclaim 15, wherein the cessation product is selected from the groupconsisting of: concrete; cement; latex; and, drilling mud.
 17. The fluidsystem as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor is configured todetect at least one of: the presence of a predetermined substance; and,the concentration of a predetermined substance.
 18. The fluid system asrecited in claim 15, wherein the sacrificial element is integral withthe body of the fluid system component.
 19. The fluid system as recitedin claim 15, wherein the sacrificial element comprises a plurality ofgrooves formed in the body so as to substantially define the perimeterof a blowout patch.
 20. The fluid system as recited in claim 15, whereinthe sacrificial element comprises a window of predetermined geometrydefined in the body.
 21. The fluid system as recited in claim 15,wherein the predefined condition comprises exertion of a specifiedpressure differential upon the sacrificial element.
 22. The fluid systemas recited in claim 15, wherein the sacrificial element has a thicknesssubstantially less than the wall thickness of the body.
 23. The fluidsystem as recited in claim 15, wherein the sacrificial element isdiscrete from the body of the fluid system component.